A TYPEWRITTEN paper, unsigned, but purporting to be part of the association address of a teacher of Christian Science, was once handed to the writer of this article by a student of the same teacher. As I had always had the utmost respect for the understanding of Christian Science which this teacher possessed, the paper was accepted eagerly. "Why, it is practically a treatment," I cried delightedly, glancing it over; to which the other student agreed. Right then and there I should have known enough to hand the paper back, instead of proceeding to study it at every available moment.
Then the thought came, "How good God is, always giving us just what we need!" I had been praying for more light, and this seemed to come as a direct answer to prayer. The force and vigor of the clear, concise declarations of truth filled me with joy, as they came pounding along, one after another, like the boom of the surf along some windswept beach. They lingered in memory to such an extent that unconsciously they were made use of in my own mental work, for they somehow sounded better than the more simple statements of one's own formulation. It is true that there was no appreciable difference in the results of my work, but I kept persistently on; for how could one afford to neglect this wonderful opportunity to gain new knowledge? When the time came to return the paper, I was so reluctant to give it up that permission was asked to make a copy; and it was not until actually seated at the typewriter ready to begin the work, that a vague, uncomfortable feeling began to take possession of me that there was something wrong in so doing.
Like a mariner in uncertain waters consulting his chart, the Manual was opened. Upon looking over the Table of Contents to see if there was not some counsel which might fit the case, attention was arrested by the words "Formulas Forbidden," and accordingly Article VIII, Section 9, was earnestly read: "No member shall use written formulas, nor permit his patients or pupils to use them, as auxiliaries to teaching Christian Science or for healing the sick. Whatever is requisite for either is contained in the books of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Sometimes she may strengthen the faith by a written text as no one else can." The dictionary then showed that the word formula was derived from a Latin root meaning "form or model," and that "a set form of words" was one of its definitions. As the paper practically contained the "form or model" of a Christian Science treatment, as before agreed, it therefore constituted a formula, so there was obviously nothing to be done but to hand it back without making a copy of it.
